University of California, Santa Cruz
OP-21: Hazardous Waste Management

UCSC works to: Maintain an up-to-date chemical inventory; Review inventory periodically to remove unwanted or unusable chemical stocks; Manage peroxide formers and dispose of them by their expiration date; Only purchase gas cylinders from manufactures who will accept the return of the partially used or empty cylinders; Ensure proper identification is on all chemical containers. EH&S provides Waste Minimization Suggestions online at: http://ehs.ucsc.edu/programs/waste-management/waste-minimization.html These suggestions include: * Substitute less hazardous chemicals or ingredients for ones you are using now. This database [linked on site] provides information on alternatives to hazardous chemicals or processes. This is an MIT-developed tool made possible by an EPA People, Planet, and Prosperity grant. * Order only the chemicals needed for the short term. You will spend more to dispose of larger amounts of unused chemicals than you will save by purchasing large orders to get quantity discounts. * If you're dealing with common household chemicals, call the County Hotline for the latest updates on recommended and available substitutes. * Test your ideas on the smallest scale practical to minimize disposal costs. * Keep your wastes segregated by compatibility and type; avoid cross contamination as much as possible.

UCSC offers pick up and disposable of waste and chemicals. Instructions on safe ways of disposal can be found on EH&S's website. Hazardous waste materials are submitted for pickup in the online database and picked up within one week. To protect human health and the environment, hazardous wastes are strictly regulated. Failure to comply with hazardous waste regulations can result in significant criminal and civil penalties (such as fines of up to $25,000/day/violation) for the University and/or the perpetrator. Therefore, proper handling and identification of hazardous wastes is imperative. Only properly trained EH&S employees are qualified to handle hazardous wastes. UCSC audits every hazardous waste vendor that transports, treats and disposes of UCSC waste.

40 gallons of gasoline was released from a truck by a campus non-affiliate while in the process of stealing fuel.

The University of California requires Principal Investigators and/or Departments to disclose hazardous material inventory records to EH&S if a hazardous chemical is used, handled, or stored in University facilities. Collaboration between hazardous materials users and EH&S is essential for maintaining required chemical inventory records. The Chemical Inventory System (CIS) is a web-based system that facilitates the collection and storage of information related to chemical types and amounts within campus laboratories and facilities. CIS helps UC meet reporting and compliance requirements. If a lab needs a certain chemical, we have them contact EH&S and we use the CIS to share chemicals between labs.

Receiving Services (Surplus Store) is the UCSC campus-designated outlet for the disposal of consumer electronics devices (CEDs). Examples of CEDs that are handled by the Surplus Store: Computers, Monitors, Scanners, Printers, Keyboards, Mice, Battery backups, Cables, Circuit Boards,Microwaves, Lamps, Clocks, Flashlights, Calculators, Phones, Coffee Makers, Typewriters, etc. All sales of surplus University owned property must be administered by the Surplus Store. When a department determines that it has no further use for University owned property, the manager, equipment custodian or authorized person initiates steps to dispose of it. Departments are strictly prohibited from gifting or selling surplus materials directly to UCSC faculty, staff, students, and other individuals. The Surplus Administrator has been delegated the authority to "determine whether an item has no further value to the organization and can be disposed of as excess material." The Surplus Administrator then determines the best method of disposal. These standards are designed to ensure the efficient utilization of property, maximize the property’s residual value, maintain financial accountability and reporting accuracy, ensure compliance with safety/environmental laws and regulations, improve sustainable reuse of materials, and minimize risk exposure to UCSC.